Classic Eventing Nation

The trusty first-aid kit. Photo by Kevin Deacon/Creative Commons.

The trusty first-aid kit. While no eventing trailer seems complete without it, many have no desire to crack into theirs until disaster strikes. But knowing the contents, or better yet building your own, can ensure proper action when necessary. Most kits contain the same basics: gauze, Band-Aids, tweezers. But adding these not-frequently thought of items can take your kit to the next level.

Benadryl/diphenhydramine

This allergy pill turned night-time sleep aid may seem like an odd choice for the top of the list, but its uses are nearly endless. For one, who doesn’t need a little sedative to lull you to sleep despite the pre-show jitters? Bonus, the resulting next day hangover will make you incapable of feeling anxious, or anything other than drowsy realistically.

But more seriously, the antihistamine effects of this medication will help relieve the itching and swelling caused by pesky bug bites. It’s also pretty handy when the rogue Pony Clubber two trailers down decides to try a handful of their friend’s peanuts for the first time. Please note, Benadryl is not a substitute for an epinephrine injection. So if the phrases “throat tightness” or “tongue swelling” get tossed around, someone better call 911.

Tylenol/acetaminophen

Hopefully pretty self-explanatory. This mild pain reliever is great for the stress-related headaches normally associated with scenarios such as: flat trailer tire, doing a face-plant in warm-up, injury-faking horses, pulled shoes, etc.

Pepto-Bismol/bismuth subsalicylate

So you ate some questionable crab cakes (not recommended) from the only food truck available at the grounds, and now can’t help but fantasize about amenities such as flushing toilets and running water with soap. But never fear, relief is a somewhat unpleasant swallow/chew away. Pepto comes conveniently in chewable tablet form, which is ideal for first-aid packs. If your own self-loathing compels you to enjoy warm, separated, chalky pink goo, feel free to buy the liquid form instead.

Instant heat/ice packs

These single-use packs are activated by bursting the bag inside and kneading the chemicals to create either a heat or cold pack nearly instantaneously. The heat packs are useful for muscle strain type injuries, while the cold packs are useful for achy, swollen joints. Additionally, the cold packs can be used when you’ve overdone yourself on blistering hot days. Simply place the cold pack along the carotid arteries on the side of the neck for near instant relief from heat exhaustion.

Bottled water

While guzzling air-temperature water isn’t ideal, it’s often still appreciated when it’s the only option. Save yourself the annoyance of being thirsty and waterless by packing a bottle or two in your kit.

Tampons

This is a woman’s world after all (sorry guys). Inevitably you (or someone you know) will find yourself in your favorite white breeches when you get an unexpected visit from our most beloved Aunt.

Vet wrap

Yes, there is a human version. But it’s twice as expensive and only comes in one color, beige. And who would choose boring beige when purple zebra print is an option?

Amber Leone spent her formative years kicking and clucking her stubborn Appaloosa mare to near breakneck speeds, before taking a break from the horse world in her early teens to focus on school and boys. She rediscovered her obsession shortly following college, much to the dismay of her blind-sided husband.

Madelyn Floyd and Jordan Linstedt.

Training with top coaches is an experience no rider should take for granted, but it can be tough when they leave to pursue their own competition goals.

This spring Jordan Linstedt took to the East Coast to train leading up to Kentucky, which didn’t go as originally planned. This led to rerouting to Jersey Fresh and Bromont later in the spring. Jordan went on to have a fantastic run at Jersey Fresh and win the Bromont CCI3* with Revitavet Capato. That win was the climax of three months away from home.

I credit everything I have ever achieved to Jordan, and to be honest, it was hard to have my trainer away for so long. We kept in contact, and I took lessons with other great trainers in the area, but I missed my longtime coach.

Now that Jordan has returned, I reflected on my experience over the spring. I starting thinking about what it would be like if Jordan didn’t compete. How would that affect me? Well, I realized something, and it’s the catch when riding with high caliber trainers.

They are not just trainers. These people are also riders. They have dreams and goals, and Badminton is to Jordan what NAJYRC is to me. If Jordan didn’t compete, she wouldn’t be the trainer she is today. Trainers compete and learn and then extend what they learn to their students. It is tough when Jordan leaves in the spring for Kentucky, but I sure am lucky to have her here the rest of the year.

So when your trainer goes away, what do you do? You buckle down for the months they will be absent and get to work. Can’t jump as frequently? Poles are your best friend. Struggling on the flat? Surprisingly, YouTube and Facebook do help sometimes. Wanting lessons? Take the opportunity to learn from other coaches in the area and haul out! But most important, support your trainer. Be as excited for them as they would be for you.

Eventing is a tough sport, and I have found that having a consistent and supportive coach is key. Supporting your trainer in return will build a strong relationship that will last for many years to come. Everyone has dreams, and everyone should have the right to follow them!

This is the catch with riding with a high-caliber coach. They will take time to chase their own goals. For me, those three months spent away are a sacrifice worth making for the other nine months.

About the author: My name is Madelyn Floyd, and I’m a 14-year- old eventer in Area VII. I have two horses, an uber-talented, spunky mare named Clementine, as well as a cribbing goofball OTTB named Seahawk Defence. Clementine (Tini) is competing at Training and Hawk is doing his first season at Beginner Novice.

Drew Palmer and his red-head. Photo by Jeff Webb.

Relationships are hard. If that were not the case then there would be no need for the endless advice from every father/mother/sister/brother and their dog about how to survive one. That being said, I have found the best advice for making things work with a woman came not from a counselor, a guide or a magazine that boasts such secrets but through my own (rather complicated) relationship with a chestnut mare.

Let’s begin with how all great relationships start and the trap enticement of “love at first sight.” There’s no denying that few things can catch your gaze like a brilliant chestnut mare, but if you have to grossly exaggerate your skills (even to yourself), chances are that you are gonna be in over your head. But hey — what guy doesn’t aim a bit out of his league, so if you’re going for it, go all in. 

The first impression means a lot, but if the second impression is that “spin and bolt” move, you’ve got nobody to blame but yourself when you’re six months in and still trying to ride it out and all you can think about is that lovely trot that hooked you and how the heck did you end up here. Honesty goes a long way in such instances, especially to yourself, so don’t think that just because you sat the first one-eighty spin that “you’ve got this.” If there’s ever gonna be a time for an unplanned dismount, this would be it!

But if you think you’ve got what it takes, read on.

I distinctly remember saying to myself “trust her, even if it kills you.” This of course was on a brisk day just approaching one year together when we finally attempted to stretch at the trot. Tension had been building for some time and desperate times call for desperate actions. I don’t care what kind of man you think you are, at some point risking your life in trust is a better option than having every move provoke retaliation from an estrogen-filled war machine originally developed to carry men into battle. You don’t have to think hard to imagine the implications in a relationship.

Which leads nicely into my next point. She can make you look like a champion or she can make a fool of you in a hurry — in all situations adjust your attitude accordingly. A little humility and some affection can go a long way. Tact is a valuable resource. Am I the only one that senses the parallel when a judge comments “Lovely horse! Work to improve harmony, effectiveness, communication, freedom, engagement” and all things any marginally proficient rider would have mastered before entering the arena. Those are #relationshipgoals.

There are two opinions about everything — your opinion and the opinion you will be following regardless of the circumstances. So let me reiterate: In all situations adjust your attitude accordingly. Why expend so much energy trying to make your point anyway?

When spending quality time together, it is best to throw out your own agenda. Leave your expectations at the mounting block and just enjoy the ride. I will admit that this is a work in progress, yet to be mastered. The advice is valuable nonetheless.

Lastly and quite importantly — there is a very fine line between brilliant and bat-sh*t crazy. It is best not to devote too much time trying to determine which side of that line you are riding.

About the author: Drew Palmer, 33, is a professional rider from non-horse country in Alabama. Introspective so you would have to ask about character defining qualities from those who know me, otherwise I may overwhelm you with useless information. Taking a crack at writing so forgive grammatical errors. I’ve been out of school a while.